LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act of 2006 requires every retailer, as defined, to have in place a system for the acceptance and collection of used rechargeable batteries for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal. Existing law requires the system for the acceptance and collection of used rechargeable batteries to include, at a minimum, specified elements, including, among others, the take-back at no cost to the consumer of a used rechargeable battery of the type or brand that the retailer sold or previously sold. Existing law defines “rechargeable battery” for purposes of these provisions to mean a small, nonvehicular, rechargeable nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium-ion, or sealed lead-acid battery, or a battery pack containing these types of batteries.

This bill would require the Secretary for Environmental
Protection, on or before April 1, 2019, to convene the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group to review, and advise the Legislature on, policies pertaining to the recovery and recycling of lithium-ion batteries sold with motor vehicles in the state, and would require the secretary to appoint members to the committee from specified departments, vocations, and organizations. The bill would require the advisory group to consult with specified entities and, on or before April 1, 2020, to submit policy recommendations to the Legislature aimed at ensuring that 90% of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries discarded in the state are recycled in a safe and cost-effective manner in the state. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2022.

Digest Key

Vote:
MAJORITY
Appropriation:
NO
Fiscal Committee:
YES
Local Program:
NO

Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Article 3 (commencing with Section 42450.5) is added to Chapter 8 of Part 3 of Division 30 of the Public Resources Code, to read:

Article
3. Lithium-Ion Batteries

42450.5.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Automobile dismantler” has the same definition as in Section 220 of the Vehicle Code.

(2) “Motor vehicle” has the same definition as in Section 415 of the Vehicle Code.

(3) “Vehicle manufacturer” has the same definition as in Section 672 of the Vehicle Code.

(b) On or before April 1, 2019, the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall convene the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group to review, and advise the Legislature on, policies pertaining to the recovery and
recycling of lithium-ion vehicle batteries sold with motor vehicles in the state. Until April 1, 2020, the advisory group shall meet at least quarterly. The advisory group shall consult with universities and research institutions that have conducted research in the area of battery recycling, manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles, and the recycling industry. The Secretary for Environmental Protection shall appoint at least one member to the advisory group from each of the following:

(1) The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.

(2) The Department of Toxic Substances Control.

(3) A vehicle manufacturer or an organization that represents one or more vehicle manufacturers.

(4) An electronic waste recycler or an organization that represents
one or more electronic waste recyclers.

(5) An automotive repair dealer or an organization that represents one or more automotive repair dealers.

(5)

(6) An automobile dismantler or an organization that represents one or more motor vehicle automobile
dismantlers.

(6)

(7) An environmental organization that specializes in waste reduction and recycling.

(8) A representative of the energy storage industry.

(c) On or before April 1, 2020, the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group shall submit policy recommendations to the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, aimed at ensuring that 90 percent of end-of-life lithium-ion vehicle
batteries discarded in the state are recycled in a safe and cost-effective manner in the state.

(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2022, and as of that date is repealed.